The third-round draft pick from Temple has emerged as a valuable backup to Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice, rushing for 443 yards and a touchdown with an average of 5.2 yards per carry. Only a handful of rookie running backs selected in the 2012 NFL draft have been more productive than Pierce.

As the Ravens enter their final game of the regular season today against the Cincinnati Bengals, Pierce is giving the organization a glimpse of what he can do with a little experience, a healthy body and growing confidence.

During the fourth quarter of a 33-14 victory over the New York Giants last week, Pierce allowed his blockers to open holes before he bolted toward the right sideline and accelerated for a career-high 78-yard run.

"When Bernard first came in, he was raw and he was just a hard runner," Ravens running back Anthony Allen said. "Now, he understands the offense. He understands where the blocks are coming from, how the holes are developing.

"He's patient and he knows how to read defenses. He's putting everything together and running where he's supposed to and how he's supposed to. It's about growing and learning the game, and Bernard is doing that."

Pierce displayed a swiftness and skill that the powerful 6-foot, 218-pounder didn't seem to be on the verge of showing during an injury-plagued training camp, where he was hampered by problems with his hamstring. When he took the field early in the season, he rushed his decisions instead of being patient.

Now, it's a different story for a healthy Pierce and the Ravens' running game coming off its highest yardage total of the season with 224 yards against New York. Pierce rushed for a career-high 123 yards on 14 carries and Rice gained 107 yards.

"Week in and week out, Bernard's getting better," Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach said. "He's a tough runner between the tackles and on the outside. He adds another extra dimension to the offense because he's a big-play guy, too. He's got it all. He takes coaching. If he keeps learning from myself, Ray Rice and [running backs coach] Wilbert Montgomery, he's going to be a very tough guy to stop."

And Pierce is in more of a complementary role than several of his fellow rookie backs who have out rushed him.

"People tell me about the stats, but I don't pay attention to them," Pierce said. "I'm here for the long haul. I want to be here as long as possible. I'm not worried about anything else."

Pierce prides himself on his hard-nosed running style, attacking linebackers with his shoulders and forearms with his legs churning behind his shoulder pads and helmet.

Although grinding out yards is his primary assignment, Pierce has become more of a versatile, productive presence.

"We want Bernard to be a complement to Ray, a very good complement," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said earlier this month. "They have different running styles. We think that helps us. To me, it's important to use both of them. We have confidence in both of them in all situations."

Heading into the last regular-season game, Pierce has rushed for one less yard than former Ravens backup running back Ricky Williams, who ended his NFL career last season with' 444 yards.

"One thing I've always told Bernard is you've got to be a student of the game," Rice said. "I told him once the smoke clears, it's just football. You just play the game.

" For him to come in and not only do a good job, but a great job as a backup, we don't miss anything when he's in the game. Me and him are two different running styles, but we both get the job done."

Making adjustments

The adjustments Pierce has made to add polish to his game aren't the first challenges he's faced in his life.

Growing up as a teenager in Ardmore, Pa., Pierce acknowledged that he didn't always surround himself with the best people. And he didn't always control his quick temper.

A brawl during his sophomore year at Lower Merion High School, where Pierce said he defended a friend, resulted in one combatant going to the hospital. That's why the future NFL player was sent to Glen Mills. It's a strict high school for court adjudicated juveniles in Delaware County, Pa.

"I got in a little trouble," Pierce said. "It's in the past. I was going in the wrong direction, making mistakes, teenage stuff. I made a [complete] turn."

Mentored at Glen Mills by football coach Kevin Owens, Pierce had to get accustomed to an extremely regimented code of conduct.

"We get kids who have been in trouble with the law, and we work with them to get them back on track and get their education," Owens said. "Bernard had gotten into some trouble. He realized what he had done and he wanted to go in a different direction in life. We worked with him to help him be the person he is today."

Pierce thrived at Glen Mills, rushing for 1,578 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior. Although he had the option of leaving before his senior year, he decided to stay because of his progress.

As a senior, Pierce ran the 100 meters in 10.6 seconds for the fastest time in Pennsylvania.

"Bernard has always had great potential," Owens said. "In high school, he was probably 6-foot, 215 and he could run very well. We just tried to harness his talent. We're very proud and happy to see him doing so well."

Pierce set school records with 3,570 yards and 53 touchdowns at Temple before declaring early for the NFL after his junior season.

When Pierce first arrived in Baltimore, he was somewhat guarded before finally getting comfortable enough to joke around in the locker room.

"He stayed to himself at first," Allen said. "He came out of his shell a little bit now. With the guys he's close with, he'll kick it with us. He's a cool guy."

Older teammates have noticed a growing maturity in Pierce, on and off the field.

They regard him as a no-nonsense personality, a serious young man.

"Since he got here, he's sort of quiet," said center Matt Birk, a six-time Pro Bowl selection. "He keeps his mouth shut, which a rookie should do. He takes care of his business."

Pierce said he always wanted to make his single-parent mother, Tammy Pierce, and his grandmother, the late Ora Pierce, proud of him. He honors his mother with a tattoo of her name inside his left forearm.

"His mother has been extremely important in his life," Owens said. "She kept everything in order and was a rock for that family."

Pierce is now a family man, the father of a young son born in August. He's raising him along with his longtime girlfriend.

"It's a lot of responsibility, but I've got my son to take care of and the weight of a lot of people on my shoulders," Pierce said. "I don't go out too much. I'm home with the baby. I'm proud I've been able to build a foundation for myself and my family. I'm actually excited. It's been a good first season in a lot of ways."

Thirty-two Ravens have made Pro Bowl teams in the team's history. Ray Lewis has been named to more Pro Bowl teams than any other Raven, with 12 selections. Jonathan Ogden is No. 2, with 11 selections. Here's the list.

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